Mr. W. W. Killen, M.P., addressing the New States Commission on behalf
of the Riverinaseparationist
movement, said it was over six years since the agitation began in the Riverina district for separation from N.S.W. At
that time the population was not so great as to-day, but it was about equal
to Victoria when that State was successful in her efforts. Had the Riverina been successful, the district would now - carry,
a population of 800,000. Judge Cohen, chairman, suggested that agitation of
that kind was for the purpose of separating Riverina
from N.S.W. and of simultaneously attaching itself to Victoria.

Even to-day, said his Honour, people in the
western parts of Riverina are desirious
of becoming a part of the southern State. Mr. Killen said the commission,
when in Riverina, examined 69 witnesses in favour of the separation movement, 16 against, and 20 who
were neutral. He would not say that if granted a new State they would desire
the full powers possessed by N.S.W. They were generally satisfied that
control of railways, for instance, should remain in the hands of the mother
State. He said the £25,000 which the commission would cost, was surely a
small thing compared with the principle involved; and the millions spent in
the city. He presented press criticism of the commission, describing it
unfair and one-sided.

The Government could not successfully manage territories hundred's of miles away from the cities, of which they
had no knowledge. Members of the commission had seen the Riverina,
and must realise that something must be wrong, or
the territory would have progressed as had been the case with Victoria.